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Jealousy tries to rear its ugly head, my mind briefly considering what the two of them might be doing right now if I hadn’t showed up unannounced. I shove the thought back down into the little box with the rest of my unwanted emotions.
“Date?” I jeer, gesturing to the room. “Please, you mean Netflix and chill? You need to take my girl out for a real date.”
“That’s funny. I would’ve pegged you as the type that prefers to stay in.” He smirks, and heat rises on my cheeks, my round eyes darting over to Cat then back to him.
“Spencer’s right,” Cat interjects, none the wiser. “I think Julianna keeps stuff from everyone, it isn’t anything personal toward you. Lizzy told me she only found out about Eric because she caught her coming home the morning after Valentine’s Day and she was glowing.”
“Yeah, I bet she was. You should see him. Who could’ve guessed that scrawny kid would turn out to be such a sexy little beefcake?” I fan myself dramatically.
“Um…hello,” Spencer says, pointing to himself. “Boyfriend sitting right here.”
“Oh gross, that’s right,” I groan, my features bunching. “You’ve got your own arm candy.” Rolling my eyes, I gesture toward Spencer who’s smirking, his eyebrows raised. “You probably wouldn’t even notice Eric with this one in the room.”
“Arm candy, huh?”
“Oh, pipe down. Don’t act like it’s a surprise that people think you’re good looking.”
He tilts his head, his lips pressed together in thought. “People, no. You, on the other hand…”
“Oh,” Cat says, her eyes lighting up with amusement as she taps on Spencer’s shoulder. “Have I not told you her nickname for you?”
I gasp, my eyes narrowing at her. “Catelyn Shea, don’t you dare.”
Spencer looks between Cat and me. “Now you have to tell me.”
Cat’s lips curl like the Cheshire Cat. I’m screwed. “Officer Hotbod.”
Spencer laughs hysterically while my face flames.
“Don’t let your head get too big. I gave you that nickname before I met you because of the way Cat described you. To be honest, I didn’t really believe they made cops like you.”
“Like me?” He cocks an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “And how is that, exactly?”
I flip him off. “Okay. We’re done here. Back to the topic at hand, Julianna and her secret hot as fuck boyfriend.”
“Did she say they were dating?” Cat asks.
“No,” I huff, throwing up a hand. “She wouldn’t tell me anything, but I saw the way they were looking at each other all day. Especially him. He has it bad for her, always has. I swear, when he calls her Jules, I can actually hear his love for her.”
“That’s so sweet. I’m so happy for her,” Cat coos as she comes to her feet. “I’m going to go pop the popcorn. If we don’t start the movie soon, I’ll never make it to the end.”
Spencer and I both watch her as she leaves the room, our glares colliding awkwardly again.
“Wait,” Spencer says. “Did you say Jules?” I nod and my forehead creases. “What’s Eric’s last name?”
“Winston,” I caution. “Why?”
“No way. That’s crazy.” He chuckles like he’s in on some kind of secret, and my hand lands on my hip as I await his explanation. “I know this is a small town, but—”
“But what?” I place my free hand over my heart as if bracing myself for what he’s about to tell me. “Dear lord, please don’t tell me you’ve arrested this guy before.”
“No. Calm down, big sis.” He smirks at me as he makes a lowering gesture with his hands, and I roll my shoulders. “Eric is one of my closest friends, actually.”
“He is?” I move toward him, taking the seat on the couch Cat had just vacated. “Tell me everything. I need to make sure this guy isn’t going to hurt her like the last prick.”
“No way,” Spencer says, shaking his head. “Eric’s a good guy, and you’re right, he’s crazy about your sister. I only knew her as Jules, but we’ve had many drunken talks about the one who got away. He refers to her as the only woman he’s ever loved.”
My throat swells as I struggle to swallow my bubbling emotions. “If he loves her, why didn’t he stop her from marrying that asshole? What’s he been doing with his life all these years?”
